The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1887-02-26
WASHINGTON LETTER.
lfy0m oar Rsgnlag Covresponas.k.l


Washington, D. G., Feb. 2lst. 1887.
The session is slipping rapidly to it,
close, and CongressEis trying to make the
best use Of its brieilife by dispensing al
much as possible with business OF priv
ate character. Among the important
matters that have had attention during
the past week may be mentioned tho
lehuantepec Ship Railway bill, the Rivers
and Harbors bill and the sundry Civil,
the Anti-Polgamy bill, and halt dozen
measures appropriating millions Ct doll
lars for ships Of war and coast dejenses.
The long cherished project Of Capt.
Eads passed the Senate by decided
majority. By the provisions of the bill
Mr. Eads and his associates are incor~
porated as the Atlantic and Pacific Rail-.
way Company, with capital stock not to
exceed $l00,000,0OO, no bonds to be
issued until the paid-in capital shall
amount to $5,000.00O. The Government
is in nowise committed to the proposition
pecuniarily, and makes no guarantees.
The first Mexican pension was made
by Commissioner Black on last Friday,
and the beneficiary was ex-senator vii.
liams, of Kentucky. Ever since the bat
tie Cicero Gordo where he greatly dis
ltinguished himself, he has been known as
"Cerro Gordo Williams''. The applica-
ton for the allowance was fled in the
Commissioners office at eleven O'Clock
that morning, and the pension certificate
went out in the afternoons mail for
Louisville.
The clamor for change OF Inaugural
ton day from the 4th OF March to the
Both of April grows louder as the work,
ing days Of the present Congress have
become alarmingly few. and the danger
more apparent that nothing may be done
towards this desirable reform. The
trouble is that il the proposed amend
ment does not get through Congress By
the end OF this session, it cannot be rati'
fed by the States in time to go into eli,
feet as part OF the Federal Constitution
in the Spring OF 1889. There is no OPP
position to the change, but. on the con
trary everybody acknowledges that II
would be just lovely to have the inaugG-
raj ceremonies at the most delightful
time Of the year, II the Republican Sen
ate is willing to extend President Clevs-
lands term by eight weeks, no one can
see why the Democratic House should
not be more so.
The recent broa6side which Senator
Hoar aimed at his associates who were
derelict about being present at the Chap
lain g opening prayer has had the effect
of increasing the number OF Senators in
the Chamber at that hour. Ten used te
be the average attendance but now it il
nearly thirty. The Massachusetts Senator
has been congratulating himself overhis
success, and has received warm COM
mendation from Chaplain Butler who, O
course, deeply felt the disrespect shown
to the morning devotions by this un,
prayerful lot.
Out of the whole Senate full there are
only seven gentlemen who are always al
prayer and show noticeable fervor
These are Senators Plumb, Blair, Hoar
L
Mcmillan, Teller, Brown, and Gen. Haw.
fIey. Fhe+otiI5Ts lszs efanaae.
ing all the time how long the prayer Il
going to last While the Chaplain has The
floor Senator Evarts strokes his chin and
watches the clock Senator Malone
witches nervously and looks over his
papers on the desk Senator Vest but.
tons and unbuttons his coat another il
twirling the ring on his finger or winding
his watch or caressing his mustache OF
hunting for something in his pocket, and
Senator Call is accused oftrying to make
has hair stand out stylishly from his ears
/ But Senator Hoar stands beside his
desk with head bent, eyes closed, and
hands clasped. He does not change his
attitude until the Chaplain has descend>
ed from the presidents desk. Senator
Plumb usually leans his elbow on his desk
during prayer, his face resting on his
hand. He sometimes converses with the
Chaplain afterwards on the subject OF
the prayer. which indicates that he must
be piously attentive. Senator Brown OF
Georgia, seems to be deeply religious
man. and he seems to repeat the words
after the Che plain-at least his lips move
constantly.
Gen. Hawley's religious devotion is
equally pronounced. The moment the
prayer begins he stands up, and bends
his head low over his folded arms. Somel
times he remains in this position for
several moments afterwards apparently
in deep meditation. Imagine score Of
Senators smoking in the Hobbies and as
many more drinking cold tea in the res-
taurant beneath, and the prayer scene 10
the United States Senate is complete